Subathu bottleneck: Army curbs force truckers into costly detours

Truck operators plying on the Subathu–Dharampur route continue to face mounting hardships as restrictions on the use of the main road remain in place since the monsoon of 2023. The defence authorities, who maintain control over a vulnerable stretch passing through Subathu cantonment, have barred heavy vehicles citing safety concerns.

An official of the state Public Works Department (PWD) revealed that though the road from Veer Yodha Gate to Subathu market officially falls under the PWD’s jurisdiction, its upkeep has largely been managed by the Army. “The Army authorities have prohibited the entry of trucks on this stretch, which is causing immense inconvenience to residents and transporters,” the official confirmed.

The worst affected are heavy vehicles carrying cement from the Darlaghat manufacturing units. With the direct route blocked, truckers are compelled either to take a longer detour via Deothi-Solan or to crawl through a crumbling link road from Kanda-Naya Gaon-Arla. Locals complain that this alternative road, already damaged during last year’s heavy rains, is steadily deteriorating under the pressure of frequent heavy traffic. “The link road was never meant for such load-bearing capacity. With heavy trucks plying daily, it is collapsing further,” observed Satish, a resident.

The restrictions were first imposed after torrential rains in August 2023 triggered subsidence near the 14 Gorkha Training Centre. Several buildings in the area were damaged and a 2-km stretch of the Subathu-Dharampur road caved in, rendering it unsafe. Initially, even passenger buses were denied entry, though they were later allowed after protests since buses cannot deviate from their sanctioned routes.

Naresh Gupta, president of the All-Himachal Truck Operators Federation, argued that the situation now demands a more pragmatic approach. “The road has since undergone repairs. The authorities should consider allowing trucks on a trial basis during low-traffic hours, say between 10 pm and 6 am. Monitoring their movement at night would be easier, and if found feasible, day-time movement could also be gradually restored,” he suggested.

Gupta stressed that the current restrictions have left truckers bleeding financially, as detours mean extra fuel, longer hours and higher operational costs. For an industry already battling rising expenses, the loss of the shortest and most viable route has become unsustainable.

With only a 2-km vulnerable stretch standing in the way, truck operators are pressing the defence authorities to strike a balance between safety and livelihood. Until then, every trip remains an uphill battle of cost and time.

With an upcoming annual fair, the traders who descend in the town to sell their wares besides electing swings, are also concerned at the restriction as they carry their goods in big trucks.